Holding(s) in Company

Ashtead Group plc

9 February 2009

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                            Ordinary Shares of 10p                             

Ashtead Group plc announces it has been advised that as of 6 February 2009,
Lazard Asset Management LLC was indirectly interested in a total of 24,736,150
shares (or 4.92% of its share capital).

Enquiries:

Ashtead Group plc 020 7726 9740

Eric Watkins